Southern red oak, or Spanish oak, is a rare native tree to Pennsylvania. There are only fifteen populations located in the extreme southeastern corner of the state. According to the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, this species is considered critically imperiled due to threats from habitat loss, deer browse, and invasive species. Southern red oak is, however, abundant and widely distributed to states south of Pennsylvania.
Like other oaks, southern red oaks provide valuable food sources and habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. These trees produce acorns after 25 years. Mature southern red oaks can live up to 200 years and grow to 60 to 80 ft. tall.
Southern red oak habitat is expected to extend far into Pennsylvania in the next 100 years under both moderate and extreme atmospheric warming. This species is considered climate resilient because it typically grows on dry sites and is drought tolerant. While it is susceptible to death by fire due to its thin bark, this species can regenerate after fire well. It regenerates vegetatively via prolific sprouting from fire damage of the crown or trunk.
As we look to the future of our forests, we must reconcile that some endemic species may not survive in a warmer climate. Therefore, it's important for us to consider growing and planting unconventional species to fill ecological and cultural niches left empty by species that may die out.
This infographic series was inspired in part by a presentation given by Jehane Samaha at the 2024 Canopy Conference at Haverford College, where she explored tree species that we may see more of in Pennsylvania as the climate warms. White oak is just one example. For the two range maps, we utilized data from the Community Climate System Model, version 4.0 offered through the USDA Forest Service.
Resources
Kentucky University and White Oak Initiative. Landowner’s Guide to Identification and Characteristics: Southern Red Oak
Missouri Botanical Garden – Plant Finder. Quercus falcata. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280748
Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. Southern Red Oak. https://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/
U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Climate Change Tree Atlas, version 4. Southern Red Oak. https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/atlas/tree/812
U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Life History and Disturbance Response of Quercus falcata var. falcata (southern red oak). https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/atlas/tree/resources/lhdr/lhdr_812.html
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